China snapshot facts

Population
In January 2005 the population of China (PRC) surpassed 1.3 billion (by comparison the population in the United States was 298,213,000 in 2005). The China population grows by about 10 million annually and is expected to peak at 1.46 billion in the 2030s.

Birth Rate
The overall birth rate in China in 2005 was 13.14 per 1000 population.

Workforce
In 2003 there are 760,750,000 people currently in employment or of employment age. The workforce increase by approximately 14,000,000 annually (a combination of population increase, less unemployment, average age increase, etc)

Average Annual Income
The average annual income per capita differs enormously between urban and rural areas. For 2003 the urban figure was RMB 8,472 (US$ 1,058) while the same figure for rural areas was RMB 2,622 (US$ 328)

Land Area
The land area of China is 3,691,000 square miles (9,559,600 sq. km.)
(by comparison the land area of the US is 3,618,770 square. miles)

Capital
Beijing, with a population of over 15 million in 2005, is the capital of China

Currency
The Renminbi or RMB or Yuan is the national currency of China. The official exchange rate between US $ and RMB is about 1 : 8.0 (1.00 US $ = 8.00 RMB)

Exports
Exports from China in 2002 surpassed US$ 262 billion

World Trade
China has enjoyed Most-Favored-Nation status with the US since 1979.
In 2001 China became a full member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Languages
There are over 50 languages and dialects spoken in China. The main languages are: Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, Hsiang, Kan, Northern Min and Southern Min.

Religion
China is a multi-religious country. The two main religions are Taoism and Buddhism.